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Suspect's lawyer seeks answers in Pennsylvania school stabbing rampage

The investigation into a stabbing and slashing rampage at a high school near Pittsburgh has revealed more about the suspect, but not as much about the motive. Alex Hribal is charged with 4 counts of attempted homicide and 21 counts of aggravated assault
Investigators search for motive in high school stabbing spree 02:12

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - There's more information now about the teenager who police say went on a stabbing and slashing rampage in a high school near Pittsburgh - but so far there no motive is known.

His attorney wants Alex Hribal to have a psychiatric evaluation. Hribal is charged with four counts of attempted homicide and 21 of aggravated assault.

Alex Hribal, the suspect in the stabbings at the Franklin Regional High School near Pittsburgh, is taken from a district magistrate after he was arraigned on charges in the attack April 9, 2014, in Export, Pa.
Alex Hribal, the suspect in the stabbings at the Franklin Regional High School near Pittsburgh, is taken from a district magistrate after he was arraigned on charges in the attack April 9, 2014, in Export, Pa. AP Photo
Eight people, all students, remained hospitalized Thursday night. Three were in critical condition. Investigators are analyzing video from school surveillance cameras. CBS News has learned the two knives the 16-year-old suspect allegedly used came from the family kitchen.
"There is no history here. There has to be a reason why his occurred. People just don't decide to do what he allegedly did at the spur of the moment," said the boy's lawyer, Patrick Tomassey.

There are two conflicting pictures of Hribal. Classmates say he was shy and a loner. But his next-door neighbor described him as a normal kid who often played street hockey.

Does Hribal have any history of mental illness?

"None," said his attorney.

Was he on any medications?

"None. He doesn't smoke weed, doesn't drink," Tomassey said.

"What went wrong? I don't know yet. I'll figure it out," the lawyer said.

The assistant principal who helped subdue the stabber lives just fives doors away from the Hribal family. According to the criminal complaint, Sam King walked into the hallway after he heard a disturbance. He "heard one of the victims say, 'I've been stabbed,"' then King tackled the suspect with the help of a student.

It was a wounded student who pulled the fire alarm to get people out of the building. One teacher pulled panicked students into a classroom to protect then from the attacker.

Brett Hurt, 17, is recovering in the hospital from a stab wound to the back and a bruise to his lung.

"What was going through my mind? 'Will I survive or will I die?'" Hurt said.

Hribal's attorney says the boy was home the entire night before the attack- in the same room as the rest of his family. He has a brother one year older who attends the same school.


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